The Daily Post newspaper said the first and second motions are against the Vanuaaku Pati Speaker of the House, Esmon Sai and Green Confederation Party Second Deputy Speaker, Daniel Toara and to elect their replacements.

The government last month tabled a bill that would commit New Zealand to carbon neutrality by 2050.

Speaking after a meeting with his counterpart Jacinda Ardern in Wellington on Wednesday, Charlot Salwai said addressing the climate crisis is of great importance to the Pacific.

"It is a very important issue and we are so happy and welcome that the New Zealand prime minister is very supportive to this concern that has been raised by the Pacific Island countries because we are really affected.

“New Zealand and Vanuatu have a long history of close friendship. I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Salwai here and discussing further opportunities to strengthen the relationship between our countries,” Jacinda Ardern said.

The relationship between the two countries is underpinned by the successful Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, tourism links and shared regional interests.

Currently, the size of the cabinet can not exceed a quarter of the number of MPs.

However, Mr Salwai wants this to be increased to a third, which means cabinet can be increased from 13 to 17 ministers.

Vanuatu's parliament is to have a special sitting tomorrow to debate the required constitutional amendment.

Tess Newton Cain of TNC Pacific Consulting said Mr Salwai's ostensible reason for the expansion is that some ministers have been assigned too many portfolios, and they need to be divided up to be more manageable.

The high-level visits come amidst a climate of debate about China's growing influence in the Pacific region, which some close observers and Australia's opposition say is a result of Australia "dropping the ball" on the Pacific.

So the way in which the Australian Government engages with the Vanuatu leader over the next week will come under heavy scrutiny.

One of those closely watching will be lawyer and academic, Dr Siobahn McDonnell, from the Australian National University's College of Asia and the Pacific.

The opposition, led by Ishmael Kalsakau, tabled the motion of no-confidence, citing discontent with a raft of government policies.

However, Mr Salwai still has a strong majority of support in parliament, almost two years into his stint in charge of Vanuatu's government. Mr Salwai is now Vanuatu's longest-serving prime minister since the Ham Lini government of 2004-2008.

Mr Salwai visited evacuation centres in Penama and Sanma provinces yesterday where more than 11,000 people have been taken since the Manaro Voui volcano began belching ash and smoke over a fortnight ago.

The last boatloads were due to arrive at the islands of Maewo, Pentecost and Espiritu Santo yesterday, and they potentially face months away from home.

Disaster authorities are being assisted by French, Australian and New Zealand defence personnel and various international NGOs who have brought tonnes of relief supplies.